Restaurant · Wake County, NC

Tropical Smoothie Cafe #Nc82

Name: Tropical Smoothie Cafe #Nc82
Address: 4205 Corners Pky, Wake County, NC

4205 Corners Pky

Last inspected Jul 20, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Score 99

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

6 inspections

1 - Inspection

Jul 20, 2026

Score 99

Official score: 99 · Understand this area’s scale

4 recorded violations

notedCode 4-602.11Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s notes

4-602.11; Core; The lid covering ice in the front service area soiled with black accumulation (particurarly in the corners/crevices). Ice machines and enclosed compartments of equipment such as ice makers shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 3-501.15Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

Inspector’s notes

3-501.15; Priority Foundation; Recently prepared containers of cut tomato holding above 41 F. Refer to temperature chart. Following preparation use the walk-in cooler/freezer (rapid cooling equipment) to cool foods to 41 F or below prior to placing in cold holding equipment. CDI - Foods moved to the walk-in to cool rapidly.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 4-202.11Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Equipment; food & non-food contact surfaces approved; cleanable; properly designed; constructed & used

Inspector’s notes

4-202.11; Priority Foundation; Various plastic containers are chipped; stained; and cracked. Multi-use food-contact surfaces shall be smooth; free of cracks; chips; inclusions; pits; and similar imperfections. CDI - PIC to voluntarily dispose of containers. PIC to order new containers for replacement. 4-501.11; Core; Water is pooled at the bottom of the smoothie cooler. Equipment shall be maintained in a state of repair. Contact a technician for evaluation of the smoothie cooler.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 4-601.11(B) and (C)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; The part of the cooler where the gaskets touch are soiled with black accumulation on the following coolers: finish cooler and smoothie cooler. Surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of food residue; dust and other debris.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Jul 20, 2026 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Jan 30, 2026

Score 99.5

Official score: 99.5 · Understand this area’s scale

1 recorded violation

notedCode 4-601.11(B) and (C)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; Walk-in cooler fan soiled with dust and debris. The bottom interior of the smoothie prep cooler soiled with food and debris. Surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of food residue; dust and other debris.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Jan 30, 2026 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Jul 31, 2025

Score 98.5

Official score: 98.5 · Understand this area’s scale

2 recorded violations

notedCode 4-601.11 (A)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11 (A); Priority Foundation; A knife and a couple containers stored as clean soiled with food and debris. Equipment; food contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. CDI - Items moved to be thoroughly cleaned. 4-602.11; Core; Ice machine baffle soiled with accumulation. Ice machines shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 3-501.15Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

Inspector’s notes

3-501.15; Priority Foundation; Recently prepared containers of cut tomato and cut lettuce holding above 41 F. Refer to temperature chart. Following preparation use the walk-in cooler/freezer (rapid cooling equipment) to cool foods to 41 F or below prior to placing in cold holding equipment. CDI - Foods moved to the walk-in to cool rapidly.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Jul 31, 2025 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Mar 26, 2025

Score 100

Official score: 100 · Understand this area’s scale

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Mar 26, 2025 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Aug 14, 2024

Score 98.5

Official score: 98.5 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

majorCode 2-103.11 (A) - (P)Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

PIC Present; demonstrates knowledge; & performs duties

Inspector’s notes

2-103.11 (A) - (P); Priority Foundation; When discussing allergen safety procedures with PIC; they stated that blenders were only sanitized upon customer request when they stated they had a major food allergy. The person in charge shall ensure that employees are properly trained in food allergy awareness and safety; as it relates to their assigned duties. CDI - Educated PIC on proper food allergen safety; containers shall be properly cleaned and sanitized to prevent cross contamination.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

criticalCode 3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B)Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B); Priority; A couple TCS foods in various coolers were holding above 41F. TCS (time/temperature control for safety) foods in cold holding shall be maintained at 41F or less. CDI - Lids on coolers were closed to help foods cool after rush period.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

minorCode 4-903.11(A)Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Utensils; equipment & linens: properly stored; dried & handled

Inspector’s notes

4-903.11(A); (B) and (D); Core; A couple stacks of plastic food containers were stacked together while wet. Cleaned equipment and utensils shall be stored: In a self-draining position that allows air drying; and covered or inverted. Separate containers to allow adequate air drying.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Aug 14, 2024 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Feb 28, 2024

Score 98.5

Official score: 98.5 · Understand this area’s scale

2 recorded violations

criticalCode 7-201.11Chemicals

Official wording

Toxic substances properly identified stored & used

Inspector’s notes

7-201.11; Priority; A sanitizer bucket was stored beside single-use containers and a box of packaged utensils. Poisonous/toxic materials shall be stored so they cannot contaminate food; equipment; utensils; linens; and single-service and single-use articles by: Separating the poisonous/toxic materials by spacing or partitioning; and locating the poisonous/toxic materials in an area that is not above the mentioned items. CDI - Sanitizer bucket relocated to prevent contamination.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely

minorCode 5-501.114Facility maintenance

Official wording

Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Inspector’s notes

5-501.114; Core; Both of the dumpsters in the shared garbage/recycling enclosure are missing their drain plugs. Drains in receptacles and waste handling units for refuse; recyclables; and returnables shall have drain plugs in place. Contact waste and recycling company to replace missing drain plugs.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Feb 28, 2024 · Original Source